Fixing the thumb with an elastic bandage

A knocked-out finger is a closed tissue injury, with a displacement of the phalanges of the fingers relative to each other and a violation of the articular articulation. Often accompanied by rupture of ligaments, rupture of the joint capsule, and bone fractures.

Most often, the thumb, index, and ring fingers are knocked out; little finger and big toe. Boxers and other martial arts athletes often knock out the so-called “kazanok” (metacarpophalangeal joint) on the little finger and ring finger.

Author of the article / Site experts Shulepin Ivan Vladimirovich, traumatologist-orthopedist, highest qualification category

Total work experience over 25 years. In 1994 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Medical and Social Rehabilitation, in 1997 he completed a residency in the specialty “Traumatology and Orthopedics” at the Central Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after. N.N. Prifova.

Causes of bruised fingers

Bruise - damage to soft tissues with preservation of integrity and bones, sometimes minor scratches on the skin are observed.

Why do bruises occur:

• falling of a heavy object, several fingers or the entire hand are affected;
• impact on a hard surface;
• landing on your palm when falling;
• pinching of the phalanx by a door;
• violation of safety rules when working with tools;
• fight, active recreation, sports.

3. Symptoms and diagnosis

The symptoms, on the one hand, in this case are extremely obvious. On the other hand, when making a decision, several factors are critically important: how much time has passed since the amputation, in what conditions the amputated finger was stored before being delivered to a medical facility, in what condition the patient himself, the stump and the amputated fragment are (the degree of necrotic tissue death as a result ischemia, i.e. lack of blood supply; signs of infection, etc.), how the wound was fixed during incomplete amputation, etc.

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Types of injury

Bruises are classified depending on the severity of the injury and the location of the damaged area.

What types of bruises are there?

• at the place of origin - in the phalanges, around the joints;
• by severity - light, medium and severe;
• single and multiple.

Bruises are often accompanied by dislocations, fractures, punctures, burns and frostbite; the consequences of the injury, what a bruised finger looks like, can be seen in the photo.

Rehabilitation

To restore hand function, you need to develop fine motor skills.
In most patients, recovery proceeds without complications. In case of severe injury, doctors prescribe physiotherapy : electrophoresis with drugs, magnetic therapy. After swelling has decreased, you can do a light massage of each phalanx to improve blood circulation, roll a tennis ball , and perform special exercises.

During rehabilitation at home, it is necessary to develop fine motor skills. The most effective ways: assembling puzzles, construction sets, drawing. If you follow the recommendations, complete recovery takes no more than a month.

Symptoms of a stubbed finger

Signs of a bruise depend on the type of injury; the most severe injuries occur after being hit with a hammer or other heavy object. The main symptoms are severe, sharp pain, the bruised finger turns red, swells, moves poorly, strong pulsation or numbness is felt due to a violation of the integrity of the vascular walls.

The main manifestations of a bruise depending on the severity:

1. Stage I - minor abrasions, pain, slight swelling are observed, symptoms disappear within 3-4 days even without special treatment.
2. Stage II - due to the rupture of muscle fibers, swelling rapidly occurs, hematomas form, and the pain is severe.
3. III degree - the pain syndrome is severe, often the person loses consciousness, the entire finger swells, and mobility in the joints is impaired.
4. IV degree - all symptoms are pronounced, the finger practically does not bend, tendons often rupture, cracks in the bones, blood accumulates under the nail plate, swelling can spread to the entire hand.

Important! Most often, bruises of the thumb and little finger are diagnosed.

How to distinguish a bruise from a fracture?

The signs of a bruise, dislocation, and fracture are largely similar, but there are several symptoms that can help you differentiate one injury from another. But only x-rays can determine the severity of the damage and exclude the presence of cracks or damage to the integrity of the bones.

When a dislocation occurs, deformation of the joint is observed, motor functions are noticeably impaired, the skin at the site of the impact turns red, and the injured organ turns white.

Signs of a closed fracture:

• pain does not decrease within 3–4 days;
• the damaged organ moves, but every movement causes severe discomfort;
• the finger has turned blue, has shifted slightly, and looks constantly bent;
• swelling and swelling increases;
• sometimes the temperature rises to subfebrile levels.

With an open fracture, severe bleeding occurs and bone fragments appear through the wound. You cannot adjust anything yourself; apply a tourniquet slightly above the damaged area, and immediately take the victim to the emergency room.

If you press on the edge of the finger, with a fracture, a sharp pain covers the entire hand; with a bruise, there is no such symptom.

First aid

Fixation of fingers in case of dislocation
A closed type injury is often accompanied by displacement and pinching of the tendons. It is not recommended to set a knocked-out finger yourself : a fracture and a dislocation may look the same outwardly, but require different treatment. Incorrect actions can lead to rupture of the joint capsule and other complications.

In most cases, the index, thumb and ring fingers are knocked out. In case of deformation and pain, first aid must be provided:

• immediately remove jewelry from the knocked-out finger before swelling appears;
• apply ice wrapped in a clean towel or handkerchief;
• fix your fingers in one position with a homemade splint made from a wooden ruler or stick;
• carefully tie the injured joint to a healthy finger, secure the hand to increase immobility.

If the pain is severe, the victim can be given painkillers. It is not recommended to apply ice directly to the skin so as not to cause damage to the epidermis. The patient must be urgently taken to the emergency room.

How to bandage correctly

The bandage will prevent re-dislocation and help speed up tissue regeneration.
If a slight deformity occurs or frequent subluxations occur, patients can straighten the finger themselves. helps prevent re-injury . The main tasks of the fixation bandage:

• reducing the load on injured fingers and joints when moving;
• prevention of complications, stretching and rupture of the joint capsule;
• acceleration of tissue, capillary and ligament regeneration;
• elimination of hematoma and swelling.

After applying the bandage, the pain decreases, which allows the patient to do household chores and take care of himself in everyday life. You can use an elastic or regular medical bandage to secure your finger.

Bandaging algorithm:

• secure the beginning of the tape around the wrist in several turns;
• pass the bandage from the outside of the hand around the nail phalanx, pass through the interdigital space;
• circle the fabric one more time around your finger, return it to your palm, wrap it around your wrist;
• Continue bandaging, fix the end on the wrist joint.

Bandaging for a dislocated thumb
A traumatologist at the hospital will show you how to properly wrap a dislocated finger. If necessary, a splint or special bandages are additionally used.

What to do if you bruise your finger?

If a person hits or knocks out a finger, then you need to provide him with first aid; in case of severe injuries, contact a traumatologist - after examination and diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe medications, tell you about the rules for using drugs and the duration of treatment. If a joint is knocked out or a tendon is torn, minor surgery will be required.

First aid

After a bruise, immediately remove the jewelry from your fingers; as the swelling increases, this will become more difficult; the ring will interfere with normal blood circulation.

Rules for providing first aid:

1. Place the injured finger under a stream of cool, but not icy, water.
2. Treat scratches on the skin with an antiseptic.
3. Make a cold compress, hold it for no more than a quarter of an hour, you can repeat the procedure after a break of 40–60 minutes - this will help numb the finger and reduce swelling. The procedure is contraindicated for people with diabetes.
4. Bandage the finger; the bandage should be moderately tight.
5. Secure the damaged nail with a bandage.
6. Provide complete rest to your hand and place a small pillow under your hand to avoid severe swelling and extensive bruising.
7. Take painkiller medicine.

Important! If the bruise is not severe, after a few hours the pain gradually subsides; if the discomfort intensifies, the finger does not bend, or swells greatly, consult a doctor immediately.

If a person knocks out a finger, then the phalanx that flies out due to a bruise must be fixed with a splint; it can be made from any hard sticks.

A bruised finger cannot be heated; any warming procedures and means can be used at least 24 hours after injury. Immediately after an injury, rubbing, massage, and taking potent medications without a doctor’s prescription are contraindicated.

How to properly bandage a bruised finger

Before being examined by a doctor, the injured finger must be secured with an elastic bandage to avoid any movement.

Rules for applying a bandage:

1. Cover the wound with a sterile cloth.
2. Wrap the bandage around the wrist of the injured limb, make 2 circles.
3. Pass through the back of the hand to the bruised finger.
4. Bandage your finger, moving from bottom to top.
5. Pull the bandage back to the wrist through the back, make 1 turn, secure.

If you can’t apply a bandage, you can glue your fingers together in pairs with adhesive tape - attach the damaged ring or index finger to the middle one.

Medicines

Properly selected medications will eliminate discomfort and avoid the development of complications; in case of severe injuries, in addition to drug therapy, a plaster splint is applied to the injured finger.

How to treat a bruise:

• analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, injections
  - Movalis, Diclofenac, Naklofen, help relieve pain, swelling, prescribed for severe injuries;
• pain-relieving ointments and gels
  - Dolobene, Remisid, eliminate the main manifestations of a bruise, are safe because they do not penetrate into the general bloodstream;
• drugs to eliminate swelling and bruises
  - Badyaga, Heparin ointment;
• vitamin complexes with calcium
  – Calcium D3.

The duration of drug treatment is 15–20 days, but the pain usually disappears within 4–5 days after the injury. In case of severe dislocation, you need to wear a fixing bandage for 4–5 weeks.

In cases of III and IV degrees of injury, after eliminating acute pain, physiotherapy is prescribed - UHF, massage, electrophoresis.

Folk remedies

Minor bruises disappear within 4–7 days; alternative medicine methods will help speed up the healing process.

What you can do at home:

1. Scald a fresh cabbage leaf with boiling water, fix it on your finger, and leave it overnight.
2. Apply iodine mesh before going to bed.
3. Prepare a solution of equal parts alcohol and water, moisten the bandage, make a lotion, hold until completely dry.
4. Grate the raw onion on a fine grater, wrap the pulp in gauze, and make a compress.
5. Grind 20 g of oregano and coltsfoot, pour in 500 ml of vodka, put in a dark place for 72 hours. Strain, use for compresses at night, treatment duration is 2 weeks.

For severe forms of bruise, use folk recipes only in combination with medications.

Physiotherapy

At first, you should not disturb the diseased organ, but as you recover, when the pain becomes dull and muffled, you need to start doing gymnastics to restore joint mobility and improve blood circulation.

Set of exercises:

1. Give a light massage to the injured limb.
2. Bend and straighten your finger.
3. Place your palms on the table and spread your fingers.
4. Sort through various small objects.

Start gymnastics with 3-4 repetitions, gradually increasing the number and amplitude of movements, and stop exercising if severe pain occurs.

4.Preparation and performance of the operation

The decision to replant is made, as a rule, when the joints are intact and there is no mechanical crushing of bone and soft tissue (impact, pressure, etc.). It is widely known, but it is worth recalling: immediately after an accident has occurred, the separated phalanx, finger or fingers must be placed in a clean, sealed (without any leaks) cellophane bag, which is placed in another bag filled with as cold water as possible. Then the entire “container” is lined with ice and placed in the refrigerator (storage temperature should be about 4 degrees). It is clear that this option is optimal, but it is not always feasible, however, you should adhere to exactly this algorithm of actions with all your might and capabilities. The key is to avoid any contact between the amputated segment and water and/or ice.

And, of course, the patient and the container should be transported as quickly as possible to the nearest medical facility, where there is an operating unit and surgical teams of sufficient qualifications. No more than 8, maximum 10 hours should pass from the time of amputation - after this, ischemic changes in the tissues become irreversible and the chances of successful replantation are rapidly lost.

The intervention itself, as stated above, is very, very complex. It lasts several hours: it is necessary to carefully combine bone fragments, restore blood circulation (revascularization), etc. As for functional restoration, the rehabilitation period may take several years of passive therapy and active exercises (usually they begin 1-1.5 weeks after surgery). In general, much more depends on the patient in the postoperative period than on the doctor. All the efforts of the surgical team may go down the drain if the following conditions are not met:

• bed rest for at least several days;
• complete elimination of smoking for at least two weeks;
• the location of the operated limb is not lower than the level of the heart;
• strict compliance with all instructions.

It is easy to see that all these measures are aimed, first of all, at restoring normal blood supply, without which there is no need to talk about successful replantation.

Today, such an operation is considered successful if it is ultimately possible to restore at least 65-80% of the functionality of the finger.

Possible consequences and complications

Any severe bruise is dangerous because it ruptures the muscles and tendons. If a person nails a finger and the nail is damaged, the plate gradually dies and peels off, which often leads to the development of inflammatory, purulent processes.

After a strong blow to the finger, fluid accumulates in the joint capsule, hemarthrosis develops - the damaged organ completely loses mobility, surgical intervention is required. If the injury is not treated, arthritis begins to develop - the joints thicken, any movement causes pain, signs may appear after several weeks or months.

After a bruise, sensitivity and motor functions of the fingers are often impaired; with open wounds, inflammatory processes develop, which can provoke the development of sepsis or osteomyelitis; when a fracture is self-treated, a false joint is formed.

Important! Bruises in children are a common problem; after a child’s injury, show a doctor, especially if there is extensive swelling or hematoma.

Bruised fingers are one of the most common household and work injuries; with minor injuries, the discomfort disappears within 3–5 days; if complications occur, therapy can last several months. Timely and correctly provided first aid, use of effective drugs, compliance

Treatment methods

In case of damage, conservative treatment methods are used in 90% of cases . The finger can be straightened under local anesthesia, after which it is fixed with an orthosis or plaster cast. To reduce pain, analgesics based on ibuprofen and diclofenac are prescribed.

In case of tendon rupture, an operation is performed to suture the joint capsule or osteosynthesis. This prevents complications, restores mobility and nutrition of soft tissues. Sometimes surgery is prescribed for old injuries.

How to set a finger

The procedure should be performed by an experienced traumatologist : self-medication can cause fractures and pinched nerve endings.

In traveling conditions, it is necessary to set the finger as follows:

• Grab your wrist with one hand and clasp the injured finger with the other;
• With a precise and careful movement, you should pull the joint forward until you hear a characteristic click;
• After straightening, apply a bandage, anesthetic ointment Diclofenac, Fastum gel.

If pain and swelling worsen, you should consult a doctor and undergo an x-ray or MRI scan.

The main reasons leading to finger dislocations

The causes of dislocated fingers are mainly traumatic. Falling with emphasis on the hand, unsuccessfully hitting the ball or awkward movement on sports equipment, trying to lift too much weight and it slipping, contact sports become the most common causes of such an injury. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the possible predisposition that can be caused by deforming diseases of the joints, previous injuries, even the habit of clicking the joints, pulling or pressing the fingers.

How is a broken finger diagnosed?

Despite the apparent obviousness, only a qualified medical professional can confidently diagnose a dislocated finger joint, and he also makes decisions about treatment. This is due to the fact that swelling and severe pain can accompany not only a dislocation, but also cracks and fractures of bones. And in this case, completely different help will be required.

To rule out a fracture, the doctor may order an x-ray, but often gets by with a routine examination and questioning of the patient.

There are also fracture-dislocations. This is a more severe injury and requires exclusively surgical treatment, otherwise the damaged joint will subsequently be functionally limited, and constant pain may occur. If this injury is ignored, arthrodesis (locking) or joint replacement will eventually be required.

Treatment and rehabilitation for a dislocated finger

The complexity and duration of treatment depends on three factors:

1. severity of damage,
2. correctly provided first aid to avoid worsening the situation,
3. timeliness of seeking medical help.

In any case, the dislocated finger is reduced, if necessary, with local anesthesia, since the procedure can be quite painful.

The hand is fixed in a comfortable position, then the doctor pulls and simultaneously sets the finger.

The reduced finger is fixed with a plaster cast or a special orthosis, ensuring immobility. This will avoid unnecessary pain from accidental displacements and will speed up the normalization of the damaged joint.

After reduction/surgical intervention and application of a bandage, the following may be prescribed to speed up rehabilitation:

• local agents (ointments) with anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects;
• physiotherapeutic procedures;
• massotherapy;
• a special set of exercises for the injured hand - after the swelling has completely subsided and the pain has stopped.

All this will allow you to completely restore the functions of the hand, restoring its functionality and health, and avoid the future development of “habitual dislocation” or other complications.

Important: seek help in a timely manner. There are often cases when the pain during a dislocation weakens after some time and goes away without help. But the dislocation itself will go away on its own, but realigning the phalanx will be more difficult. Sometimes soft tissues are pinched between the articular surfaces; increased swelling and unoperated ligament ruptures can cause limited movement and subsequently contracture. Sometimes a late-reduced dislocation becomes habitual, that is, recurring due to the fact that the damaged ligaments have not fully recovered.

How to recognize: main symptoms

Loss of finger joints manifests itself in a different clinical picture, which depends on the location of the lesion. The main types and characteristic features are presented in the table:

The patient may notice that the injured finger has changed shape.
When a moving joint falls out, it is difficult for the patient to immediately diagnose the disorder and determine its severity. With such an injury to the joint of the thumb or another, contact your doctor. It is possible to understand that something is wrong with a limb by changing its appearance. It is important first of all to distinguish knocked-out fingers from a fracture, including an open one. When a joint pops out, the patient complains of the following symptoms:

• sharp pain attacks during injury;
• increased pain with movement or palpation;
• swelling of soft tissues;
• pallor of the skin of the injured finger;
• broken form;
• inability to move the brush;
• less commonly, a violation of the integrity of the epidermis, muscles or ligaments.